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July 17, 2005

Vishy's Indian English Dictionary: SC/ST

SC/ST. /ESS·CEE·ESS·TEE/ Short for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes. These are castes or tribes that have historically been disadvantaged in Indian society. The Indian government makes reservations, India's own form of affirmative action, in employment and education to benefit members of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. The origin of the term is apparently in the Government of India Act, 1935, the last major move towards Indian autonomy enacted by its British colonial rulers. Today, the castes and tribes defined as SC/ST appear in the First Schedule of the Constitution of India. The term SC/ST is sometimes used as an adjective to describe a member of such a historically disadvantaged group. The term SC/ST sometimes includes other protected groups, such as OBC (Other Backward Castes), DT (Displaced Tribes) and NT (Nomadic Tribes). A powerful political force in India in recent decades, members of all the above protected groups sometimes collectively refer to themselves as Dalits.

In recent years, reservation quotas have grown to such an extent that it is advantageous to be a member of the above protected groups. Members can get documents from the government certifying their protected status for use in employment and academic applications. Such certificates are probably in as much demand as baptismal certificates among illegal immigrants in the United States.

Posted by Vishy at July 17, 2005 09:39 PM

Comments

Posted by: the nav at July 13, 2005 10:09 PM

Posted by: Vishy at July 14, 2005 12:21 AM